I. ˈfərst, ˈfə̄st, ˈfəist adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fyrst; akin to Old High German & Old Saxon furist first, Old Norse fyrstr; superlative from the root of Old High German & Old Saxon furi before, for, Old Norse fyr; akin to Old English faran to go — more at fare
1.
a.
(1) : being number one in a countable series
the first day
: beginning a series — see number table
the first volume
my first voyage
(2) : being a type of grammatical declension or conjugation conventionally placed first in a standard arrangement of the types
(3) : being the lowest forward gear or speed in an automotive vehicle
b. : preceding all others : earliest in time
the first to come
the first train leaves at noon
c. : foremost in position : being in front of all others
first in the race
d.
(1) : foremost in rank, importance, or worth : chief
of first importance
first in the hearts of his countrymen — Henry Lee
your first concern is to get well
the first American actor of our day — Lee Rogow
(2) : highest or most prominent in carrying the melody among several voices or instruments of the same class
first soprano
first violin
(3) : having primary jurisdiction in the Mormon Church ; especially : having jurisdiction throughout the church
the first presidency
e. : having precedence over colleagues of the same general grade or duties — used in titles
first mate
first ballerina
2. : smallest, slightest, or most rudimentary
I haven't the first idea of what you mean
3.
a. North : eager , anxious
he was so first to hear about it
b. dialect Britain : next , following — often used postpositively with expressions of time
I'll come to see him Sunday first
4.
a. : being between 0.51 and 1.50 on the magnitude scale — used of the magnitude of a star
b. : being 1.50 or brighter on the magnitude scale — used of the apparent visual magnitude of any of the 22 brightest stars in the sky
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fyrst, from fyrst, adjective
1. : before any or some other person or thing (as in time, space, rank, or importance) : as the first thing to be mentioned : to begin with
I will pay you first , and then the others
first , I wish to consider the economic problem
first of all, let me say that I regard my opponent with great respect
— often used with off
first off, he was likely to get a shave and a haircut — S.E.Fletcher
first off, we heard a splendid performance of Haydn's Symphony — Philip Hamburger
2. : for the first time
we first met at a formal party
3. : in preference to anything else : rather than do, be, or bear something : sooner
surrender? we will die first
4. North : just , only
are you back already or are you first leaving
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from first, adjective
1.
a. : number one in a countable series
the first of the month
b. : the first part : beginning , outset
the last of life for which the first was made — Robert Browning
from the first I disliked the man
at first I didn't know what to make of it
c. : the first thing
the first I knew, the fire had spread to the bedroom
2. : the first occurrence or item of its kind
out of doors marked “restricted” today flow the aviation firsts of tomorrow — First in Flight
Vermont has several educational firsts — American Guide Series: Vermont
specifically : a first edition (as of a book)
3.
a. : the first gear or speed in an automotive vehicle
b. : first base
c. : unison : prime 8c
d. : prime 7
4.
a. : an article of commerce of the finest grade — usually used in plural
clear unspotted skins graded as firsts
b. : first class
he took a first in classics
c. : the winning place in a race or other sports contest
IV. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
: of or relating to the family of the president of the United States
First Mother
First Daughter